Folic acid and pregnancy

Considered to be a "brain food", folic acid is needed for many body functions including prevention of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression and support of the immune system.  Folic acid is essential for the proper replication of DNA and RNA and is important in cell division.  It is needed for protein metabolism and the prevention of folic acid related anemia.

Like many nutrients, the standard American diet is often lacking in folic acid and though this  prevents many from getting folic acid benefits, the pregnant woman may be most important.  Folic acid is very important in pregnancy as it helps to regulate embryonic nerve cell formation and fetal brain tissue development.  Studies have proven that daily intake of a minimum of 400 micrograms (0.4mg) is essential for the prevention of fetal abnormalities.  Folic acid birth defects related to deficiency include the vast majority of neural tube deficits such as spina bifida (incomplete closure of the vertebrae around the spinal column causing exposure of spinal cord or fluid) and anencephaly (underdevelopment of the baby's brain).  The need for prevention of spina bifida, in particular has received much attention for the necessity of folic acid in pregnancy.  In fact, spina bifida is one major focus of the "March of Dimes", an organization whose mission is to prevent birth defects, including those caused by folic acid deficiency.

To be effective in the prevention of folic acid deficiency related birth defects, adequate folic acid must be consumed during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy.  As many women do not know they are pregnant for several weeks, most experts recommend that women who may become pregnant consume at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily even if they are not pregnant.  If a woman waits until pregnancy is confirmed, she may miss several weeks of folic acid pregnancy benefits as some of the fetal nerve tissue is already developed.

Folic acid pregnancy benefits include not only the prevention of birth defects but it may also help the maternal body produce the extra blood that will be needed to support growth of a healthy baby.  In addition, as folic acid supports brain function it may prove beneficial to the pregnant woman to help prevent the "brain fog" and forgetfulness that some women experience during pregnancy.  This may be because of the increase in healthy blood to provide additional oxygen to brain tissue but also because of direct nerve tissue support provided as one of the benefits of folic acid during pregnancy.

Foods such as whole grains, chicken and pork, green leafy vegetables, and dairy products are all high in folic acid as well as beans, root vegetables and citrus fruits.  Eating a diet high in folic acid may provide some folic acid pregnancy benefits but most health professionals agree that the best way to ensure an adequate supply is to take a folic acid supplement.  Folic acid supplements are widely available over the counter as a single ingredient vitamin supplement but others will want to choose a multivitamin with adequate levels of folic acid as it may work best when combined with Vitamin C and B12.  Stronger concentrations of folic acid tablets are available by prescription and are used by many obstetricians along with other physicians to treat a known folic acid deficiency.